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Iran’s archaeological sites damaged by bacteria

SADDAM HUSSEIN can’t be blamed this time. Damage to important archaeological sites in southern Iran was not after all caused by smoke from oil fires ignited during the first Gulf war.

Iran held Iraq responsible for the blackening of ruins at Persepolis and the tomb of Cyrus at Pasargadae, even filing an unsuccessful claim for compensation with the UN.

Now researchers from Italy’s National Research Council in Bologna have found that bacteria are to blame. DNA tests and electron microscopy confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria, which leave a black residue when they dry out. Analysis of the chemical composition of the deposit showed that it came from cyanobacteria and not from petroleum-based pollution (Environmental Science & Technology, DOI&colon; 10.1021/es062176s).

“Iranian officials wanted us to demonstrate that one of the causes of the blackening was the burning of the wells,” says Alessandra Bonazza, who led the study. “I think they are probably disappointed by what we found.”